Spinal implant and method for restricting spinal flexion

ABSTRACT

A spinal implant system for restricting flexion of a spine includes an elongate band proportioned to engage at least two spinous processes. During use, the band is positioned engaging the spinous processes at a spinal segment of interest, where it restricts flexion at the segment. The length and tension of the band may be adjustable following to implantation using percutaneous or transcutaneous means.

PRIORITY

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/551,235, filed Mar. 9, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of spinal implants and more particularly to the field of implants for restricting spinal flexion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A major source of chronic low back pain is discogenic pain, which is also known as internal disc disruption. Patients suffering from discogenic pain tend to be young (30-50 years of age), otherwise healthy individuals who present with pain localized to the back. Usually discogenic pain occurs at the discs located at the L4-L5 or L5-S1 junctions. Pain tends to be exacerbated when patients put their lumbar spines into flexion (i.e. by sitting or bending forward) and relieved when they put their lumbar spines into extension (i.e. arching backwards). Discogenic pain can be quite disabling, and for some patients it dramatically affects their ability to work and otherwise enjoy their lives.

Current treatment alternatives for patients diagnosed with chronic discogenic pain are quite limited. Many patients continue with conservative treatment (examples include physical therapy, massage, anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications, muscle relaxants, and epidural steroid injections) and live with a significant degree of pain. Others elect to undergo spinal fusion surgery, which typically involves discectomy (removal of the disk) together with fusion of adjacent vertebrae. Fusion is not typically recommended for discogenic pain because it is irreversible, costly, associated with high morbidity, and of questionable effectiveness. Despite its drawbacks, however, spinal fusion for discogenic pain remains common due to the lack of viable alternatives.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a schematic view of a portion of a human lumbar spine illustrating the spine under normal loading.

FIG. 1B is a schematic view similar to FIG. 1A illustrating the spine in flexion.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view similar to FIG. 1A illustrating a first embodiment of a spinal implant positioned around adjacent spinous processes.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the spinal implant of FIG. 2 in an opened position.

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the spinal implant of FIG. 2 in a closed position.

FIG. 3C is a side elevation view of the spinal implant of FIG. 2 in an opened position, and slightly modified to include motorized tension/length adjustment and an extracorporeal transmitter for controlling tension/length adjustments.

FIG. 3D is a perspective view of an implant similar to the implant of FIG. 2, but using a turnbuckle style connector.

FIG. 3E is an exploded perspective view of another implant similar to the implant of FIG. 2, but using yet another alternative connector arrangement.

FIGS. 4A through 4D are a sequence of views of a human lumbar spine illustrating a sequence of steps for implanting the spinal implant of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the FIG. 2 embodiment illustrating an access window for a worm screw adjustment mechanism.

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of an adjustment tool engageable with implant of FIG. 2 for using in adjusting the effective length of the band.

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a human lumbar spine illustrating use of the adjustment tool of FIG. 5B on the spinal implant of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of components of a third embodiment of a spinal implant.

FIGS. 8A through 8D illustrate a sequence of steps for implanting the embodiment of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a housing assembly for a compression member of the embodiment of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1A illustrates a portion of the lumbar region of a human spine. As shown, the spine includes five lumbar vertebrae 2. Each of the vertebrae 2 has a vertebral body 4, lateral projections known as transverse processes 8, and a posterior projection called the spinous process 10. The vertebral bodies 4 are separated from one another by intervertebral discs 12. Each disc includes a nucleus pulposus, a semi-gelatinous tissue in the center of the disc surrounded and contained by the highly innervated annulus fibrosus, a circumferential band of tissue that prevents this material from protruding outside the disc space.

Under normal loading the lumbar spine curves forward as shown in FIG. 1A. In this condition, the discs 12 are subjected to axial forces by the vertebral bodies. Accordingly, the nucleus pulposus is under compression, while the annulus fibrosis experiences circumferential hoop stresses. However, when the lumbar spine is placed in flexion as shown in FIG. 1B (such as when the patient bends forward or sits), the disc experiences axial forces as well as forward bending forces. The bending forces displace nucleus polposus material dorsally, causing the anterior portion of the disc to be slightly compressed while the posterior portion of the disc is slightly expanded as shown. As a result, the dorsal region of the annulus is placed in tension, causing the patient to experience pain.

As can be seen by comparing FIGS. 1A and 1B, the spinous processes 10 spread apart from one another when the lumbar spine is under flexion. Several of the embodiments described herein restrict this spreading as a means for restricting flexion. In particular, FIGS. 2-8A illustrate embodiments of spinal implants for coupling two or more spinous processes of the lumbar vertebra as a means for restricting flexion of the lumbar spine so as to minimize lumber pain. It should be noted that although these embodiments are described in the context of the lumbar spine, they may be equally useful in the cervical spine. Moreover, the devices and methods described herein may be adapted for use in other areas of the spine and elsewhere in the body. For example, the devices may be implanted at alternative locations in the body where they may function as artificial ligaments, and the adjustment methods described herein may be used for adjusting artificial ligaments.

Referring to FIG. 2, a first embodiment of a spinal implant comprises an elastic or semi-elastic band 20 sized to be positionable around adjacent spinous processes 10. Once implanted, the band 20 limits the amount of spreading between spinous processes 10 upon spinal flexion. Thus, when the patient bends the band 20 is placed in tension, thereby restricting posterior tension that would otherwise be experienced by the dorsal annulus and limiting the amount of flexion that can be achieved. Thus, the intervertebral disc is subjected to limited bending forces and pain is therefore reduced or eliminated. In this capacity, the band functions as an artificial ligament, supplementing the supraspinous and interspinous ligaments, which are normally loaded during flexion.

As best shown in FIG. 3A, band 20 includes an elongate portion 22 having ends 24 a, 24 b and a connector 26 for coupling the ends 24 a, 24 b to form the band into a loop. The connector 26 includes a housing 27 having a keyway opening 28 at end 24 a, and a threaded rod or screw 30 extending from end 24 b. It should be noted that in FIGS. 3A and 3B the band is partially twisted to cause keyway opening 28 to face outwardly so that it may be more easily seen and described. However, when the band is implanted the connector preferably faces inwardly as shown in FIGS. 3C, 5A and 6.

Threaded rod 30 includes a broadened head 32 that is receivable in the keyway opening 28. To engage the ends 24 a, 24 b, broadened head 32 is inserted into the keyway opening as indicated by arrow X, and then drawn upwardly as indicated by arrow Y to seat broadened head 32 within the housing 27 as shown in FIG. 3B. In an alternative embodiment, the rod 30 may be replaced by an alternative rod (not shown) that extends longitudinally from end 24 b for streamlined implantation but that includes an end portion pivotable laterally to form a “T” shaped member. To close the loop, the cross member of the “T” is moveable into engagement with a keyway or other receiver on end 24 a.

The connecting mechanism 26 illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B is particularly useful in that it allows the effective length of the band to be adjusted as needed by the surgeon. Referring again to FIG. 3A, the threads of rod 30 are engaged within corresponding threads of a captive nut 34 retained within a bore 36 in a housing 29 at connector end 24 b. The rod 30 may be longitudinally advanced or retracted within the bore 36 by axially rotating the rod in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction, such as by manually turning the head 32 using the thumb and forefinger. This allows the physician to adjust the effective length and degree of tension of the implant 20 prior to and/or after implantation. In an alternative embodiment, the device may include multiple adjustment assemblies to allow for gross adjustment as well as fine tuning of the device length and tension. Moreover, the implant may be formed of multiple elements (e.g. having multiple straps, connectors, and/or adjustment mechanisms) that come together to form the band.

Various other types of connecting mechanisms may be used to connect the ends of the band to form a loop. In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 3D, a turnbuckle nut 21 has internal threads engageable with threaded members located at the free ends of band 20 a. The free ends of the band 20 a include opposite thread patterns so that rotation of the turnbuckle in one direction draws the ends towards one another to shorten the loop, whereas rotation in the opposite direction spreads the ends away from one another to lengthen the loop. Other types of connecting mechanisms that may be used to form the band into a loop include hooks, crimp, zip tie type configurations, housing and set screw assemblies, hand-tied or instrument-tied knots or any other form of suitable connector.

Another example, illustrated in exploded perspective view in FIG. 3E, includes a connector 26 b having two threaded worm gears 27 a, 27 b and a worm screw 31. The threaded worm gears 27 a, 27 b receive corresponding threaded rods 29 a, 29 b, each of which is coupled to an end of a U-shaped body 22 b of the band 20 b as shown. When implanted, the band 20 b is preferably oriented such that connector 26 b is positioned above the superior spinous process (as shown) or below the inferior spinous process and such that the rods 29 a, 29 b extend in a generally axial direction next to and parallel to the sides of the spinous process. The worm screw and the threaded worm gears are arranged such that rotation of the worm screw in one direction effectively lengthens the band 20 b by causing the worm gears to move along the rods in a superior direction (see arrow S), and such that rotation of the worm screw in the opposite direction effectively shortens the band by causing the worm gears to move along the rods in an inferior direction (see arrow I). Thus, the connector 26 b allows a single worm gear within the connector assembly to simultaneously adjust both ends of the band to tighten or loosen the full band. The connector is preferably partially enclosed within a housing (not shown), with worm screw 31 exposed for access by a user.

Although in the FIG. 3A through FIG. 3E embodiments the ends of the band include components that engage with one another to form the loop connection, other configurations are possible. For example, the ends of the band may be drawn together and anchored together using a separate coupling device. A spring-loaded cord lock having a hole which receives the ends of band and which allows the band to be “cinched” around the spinous processes is one example. As another example, a single end of the band may include a coupling device which can receive and engage the opposite free end of the band. Naturally, many alternative configurations are conceivable.

Referring again to the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3A, the elongate portion 22 of the band 20 is preferably made of a biocompatible elastic or semi-elastic material selected to restrict flexion of the lumbar spine by a desired degree (e.g. an amount sufficient to relieve pain) by increasing the stiffness of the effected joint segment (e.g. L4/L5) by some amount., which may vary for different patients. In one embodiment, the spring constant of the device would be 25-75N/mm. In a preferred embodiment, flexion is not completely inhibited, but is instead limited only within the range in which flexion causes pain or significant pain, while rotation and extension are incidentally and only minimally restricted by placement of the band. Suitable examples of materials include (but are not limited to) single monofilament elastic materials in tension (e.g. elastomers or suitable biocompatible materials such as those manufactured by Polymer Technology Group of Berkeley, Calif.), polyurethanes, polycarbone/polyether urethanes, thermoplastic silicone urethane copolymers, metal springs (e.g. stainless steel or NiTiNOL, coiled or otherwise, in tension or compression), knit or woven materials. If desired, the interior surface of the band may have properties for preventing slipping between the band and adjacent bone, and/or for promoting ingrowth of bone material or other tissue ingrowth that facilitates retention of the band. For example, the interior surface of the band may include gripping elements or surface roughness, or a porous in-growth-promoting surface. Alternatively, supplemental elements may be combined with the band 20 to prevent slipping, such as the elements 23 shown in FIG. 3D. Such elements may be pre-attached to the band or separately placed in contact with the spinous process during implantation to prevent slipping.

In an alternative embodiment, suitable bioresorbable materials may alternatively be used for some or all of the components.

One method for implanting the band 20 of FIG. 2 will next be described. Implantation may be carried out using surgical techniques via a midline incision, or minimally invasively through a keyhole incision. After penetration through the fascia, the muscle next to the spinous processes is distracted to give the surgeon access to the spinous processes and interspinous ligaments. Two holes may be pierced in the interspinous ligaments to facilitate implantation of the device: one in the interspinous ligament above the superior spinous process and one in the interspinous ligament below the inferior spinous process. Prior to positioning of the band 20, the effective length of band may optionally be adjusted by rotating threaded rod 30 to increase or decrease its effective length as described above. FIGS. 4A through 4C illustrate one example of a method for implanting the band 20. According to this exemplary method, one end 24 a of the band 20 is passed through the incision and advanced superiorly until it is positioned adjacent to the desired pair of spinous processes 10 a, 10 b. FIGS. 4A and 4B. One or both ends of the band 20 are wrapped around the spinous processes 10 a, 10 b and brought towards one another as shown in FIG. 4C. If the spinal segment of interest is one at which there is a spinous process that is inadequate or otherwise shaped in a manner that will prevent it from retaining the band, the spinous process may be engaged by the band in an alternative way. For example, a small hole may be formed in that spinous process and the band may be passed through the small hole. This approach may be particularly desirable where a band is to be placed at the L5-S1 segment.

The head 32 is inserted into the keyway opening to engage the ends 24 a, 24 b. If the surgeon determines that the band 20 is too loose to adequately restrict flexion or too tight to permit an appropriate amount of flexion, adjustments to the effective length of rod 30 may be made at this time. As is clear from the description, the band is preferably held in place without the use of screws, nails, or other attachment devices penetrating the bone or cemented to the bone—although in some circumstances it may be desirable to utilize such means of attachment to facilitate retention.

As discussed above, the implanted band 20 limits the amount of spinal flexion without significantly restricting rotation or extension of the spine. If necessary for the patient's condition, multiple bands may be used at multiple segments within the spine.

As discussed previously, band 20 preferably includes features for adjusting the effective length of the band, such as by rotating the threaded rod 30 to cause it to screw further into or out of the captive nut 34. It is further preferable to provide features that permit this type of adjustment both immediately following implantation and in a later procedure if desired.

Referring to FIG. 5A, the broadened head 32 of the threaded rod 30 may take the form of a worm gear having teeth along its exterior edges. When the band is assembled, a portion of the worm gear 32 is exposed through a window 38 in housing 27. Referring to FIG. 5B, a suitable adjustment tool 50 includes an elongate rod 52 and a threaded member 54 that is engageable with the exposed threads on the worm screw 32. An L-shaped spring clip 56 extends laterally from the rod 52.

Referring to FIG. 6, to adjust the length of the band 20, the tool's threaded member 54 is engaged against the corresponding threads of the worm gear 32, while the spring plate 56 is positioned in contact with an opposite side of the housing 27 to steady the tool 50 against the implant. When the threaded member of the adjustment tool is turned, it rotates the worm gear 32, causing the threaded rod 30 to move up or down through the captive nut, thereby lengthening or shortening the effective length of the band as shown in FIG. 6. As discussed, this adjustment may be carried out immediately following positioning of the band 20, or during a separate procedure at a later date if it is determined that increased or decreased restriction is desired. The tool 50 could be threaded through a small incision to gain access to the implanted device.

Naturally, many other mechanisms for adjusting the effective length of the band before and/or after implantation may be provided. These mechanisms may be operatively associated with the band's connecting mechanism, or they may be entirely separate from the band's connecting mechanism. One example includes the turnbuckle arrangement shown in FIG. 3B, in which the turnbuckle nut 21 may be rotated in one direction to tighten the loop or rotated in the other direction to loosen the loop. Other examples include hose-clamp type mechanisms, ratchet configurations or screw mechanisms that may be adjusted using adjustment tools (e.g. screwdrivers, ratcheting devices etc.), piston elements that expand or contract upon addition or removal of a fluid (e.g. air or liquid) into or from a reservoir using a syringe, shape memory elements or other elements having material properties that will allow for an effective change in response to changed environmental conditions (e.g. electrically or thermally activated length changes initiated by application of heat or electricity using a conductor positioned adjacent to or into contact with the band, or chemically activated length changes using a chemical agent passed into contact with the band using a syringe or catheter). Links or other elements that may be added/removed to increase/decrease the band's length, or lengths of elastic material forming the band may be wrapped on a spool and payed out or coiled up to effect length changes in the band. As another example, sections of the band material may be displaced transversely to shorten the effective length of the band.

Referring to FIG. 3C, the band 20 may be equipped with a motor 33 and battery 35 for effecting band length changes by driving the rod 30, together with electronic components 37 that control the motor. Although one arrangement of components is illustrated in FIG. 3C, many others are possible, including one in which the motor drives the head 32 of the threaded rod 30.

Additional electronics 39 may allow length changes to be accomplished non-invasively. For example, the electronic components 39 may include receivers for radio, optical, or magnetic signals transmitted through the skin. These components may be housed within housing 29 a with the motor coupled to threaded rod 30. The device would thus be programmed to adjust the band length in response to transcutaneous signals received from an external device 41. The band's electronics 39 may further include transmitters for transmitting data indicating the current length and/or tension setting for the implant to the external device 41. In a similar embodiment, the band may be coupled to one or more buttons palpable through the skin that can activate the motor for length adjustments. The buttons may be positioned directly on the band or in a subcutaneous pocket. In other embodiments, the band may be manually adjusted by manipulating an actuator (e.g. a rotatable knob) palpable through the skin. In other embodiments, the band may be adjusted by passing a magnet over the skin in order to mechanically manipulate an element under the skin via the magnetic field. In other embodiments, a motorized pump may pump fluid to or from a piston chamber to affect a change in loop length. Transcutaneous length adjustments are also possible using embodiments of the type above for which a syringe may be used as an adjustment tool (e.g. for injecting fluid into a piston chamber or for injecting a chemical agent into contact with a chemically material that changes shape in response to chemical exposure), by passing the syringe through the skin to the target location. A tatoo or other visual marker may be positioned on the skin to allow the physician to easily identify the target injection site.

Components of a third embodiment of a spinal implant 70 are illustrated in FIG. 7. Implant 70 is similar to the prior embodiments in that, when assembled, it takes the form of a band positionable around the spinous processes. However, it differs from prior embodiments in that it restricts spinal flexion using compression elements that are placed in compression upon expansion of the band during spinal flexion.

Referring to FIG. 7, implant 70 includes a pair of elastomeric members 72 a, 72 b, each of which includes a throughbore 74 a, 74 b and a cable 76 a, 76 b extending through the throughbore. Cables 76 a, 76 b are preferably inelastic, although in an alternative embodiment elastic cables may also be used. The elastomeric members may be housed in an enclosure or casing 86 (FIG. 9) formed of a biocompatible metal (e.g. titanium or stainless steel) or polymer, if desired. Casing 86 includes a removable cap 88 which mates with the casing using threaded connections. Openings 89 a, 89 b are provided in the casing 86 and cap 88 for passage of the cables 76 a, 76 b.

Each cable preferably includes a first stopper element 78 a, 78 b fixed to one of its ends, and a second stopper element 80 a, 80 b attachable to its free end. If the casing 86 of FIG. 9 is used, a washer 90 may be positioned between each stopper element 78 a and its corresponding elastomeric member 72 a.

The stopper elements 78 a, 78 b, 80 a, 80 b are proportioned such that they cannot pass through the throughbores 74 a, 74 b. The implant 70 further includes a pair of arcuate elements 82 a, 82 b, each of which includes receiving elements such as loops 84 a, 84 b on its convex side as shown. Each of the cables 76 a, 76 b extends through the loops of one of the rigid arcuate elements 82 a, 82 b. During use, the arcuate elements 82 a, 82 b are positioned in contact with the spinous processes where they may prevent slipping between the band and adjacent bone. The elements 82 a, 82 b may also utilize materials or coatings that will promote tissue ingrowth that facilitates retention of the band. The elements 82 a, 82 b may also provide a track through which the band passes. Although the elements 82 a, 82 b are shown as being arcuate, they may have other shapes without departing from the scope of the invention.

A method for positioning the implant 70 will next be described with reference to FIGS. 8A through 8D. For simplicity, only the posterior sides of the spinous processes 10 involved in the procedure are shown. Prior to implantation, each cable is preferably preassembled with its corresponding arcuate element and elastomeric member. Referring to FIG. 8A, a first one of the cables 76 a is positioned with its arcuate element 82 a positioned with its concave side facing a spinous process 10 a. The second cable 76 a is similarly introduced at the other spinous process 10 b, and the free end of each cable 76 a, 76 b is threaded through the elastomeric member 72 a, 72 b of the opposite cable as shown in FIG. 8B. Finally, the remaining stoppers 80 a, 80 b are mounted to the free ends of the cables as shown in FIG. 8C, causing each of the elastomeric members to be positioned between and in contact with a pair of the stoppers. The cables are tightened around the spinous process as shown in FIG. 8D, and the stoppers are locked in place (such as by crimping or other action) to retain the cables in the tightened configuration.

As discussed previously, flexion of the spinal segment will cause the spinous processes 10 a, 10 b to spread away from one another. When the implant 70 is positioned as shown in FIG. 8D, spreading of the spinal processes will impart expansive forces to the implant 70. These expansive forces cause each of the elastomeric members 72 a, 72 b to be compressed between a pair of the stoppers 80 a, 80 b, 78 a, 78 b, thereby restricting expansion of the implant 70 and thus limiting spinal flexion at the segment in which the implant is positioned. Various embodiments of systems, devices and methods have been described herein. These embodiments are given only by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It should be appreciated, moreover, that the various features of the embodiments that have been described may be combined in various ways to produce numerous additional embodiments. Moreover, while various materials, dimensions, shapes, implantation locations, etc. have been described for use with disclosed embodiments, others besides those disclosed may be utilized without exceeding the scope of the invention. 

1. A method for restricting flexion of a spinal segment comprising: providing first and second implant components, each implant component comprising an inelastic cable having a free end region and an elastic member coupled to the inelastic cable away from the free end region; accessing a segment of a spine comprising a first vertebrae with a spinous process and a second vertebrae with a spinous process, wherein said spinous processes are separated by a space and the spinal segment undergoes extension and flexion causing the spinous processes to move into and away from the space, respectively; positioning the first implant component such that the free end region of the inelastic cable is disposed over a top of the spinous process of the first vertebrae and orienting the elastic member of the first implant component along one side of the space between the spinous processes of the first and second vertebrae; positioning the second implant component such that the free end region of the inelastic cable is disposed over a bottom of the spinous process of the second vertebrae and orienting the elastic member of the second implant component along an opposite side of the space between the spinous processes, wherein the first and second implant components are not attached to each other prior to positioning; forming the first and second implant components into a loop structure by connecting the free end region of the inelastic cable of the second implant component with the elastic member of the first implant component and by connecting the free end region of the inelastic cable of the first implant component with the elastic member of the second implant component, the loop structure thereby encircling the spinous processes of the first and second vertebrae, wherein the loop structure is formed after the first and second implant components have been positioned over the spinous processes; and adjusting the tightness of the loop structure over the spinous processes to elastically limit spreading of the spinous processes and flexion of the spinal segment, wherein the elastic members lie outside of the space between the spinous processes to thereby allow substantially unrestricted extension of the spinal segment.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein adjusting the tightness of the loop structure comprises adjusting the effective length of the inelastic cables between the first and second elastic members.
 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein adjusting the effective length of the inelastic cables is performed prior to the cables being connected to the elastic members.
 4. The method according to claim 2, wherein adjusting the effective length of the inelastic cables is performed after the cables are connected to the elastic members.
 5. The method according to claim 2, wherein at least the inelastic cables are in tension during flexion of the spinal segment.
 6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising selecting a patient with pain resulting from flexion of the spinal segment. 